To the Commissar [of Transport]
29 III 1921

Comrade Emskhanov!

I request that you inform me who in the N.K.P.S. is responsible for the distribution of oil tanks (for petroleum) across the network and for the transport of oil by railway.

* In the margin, Lenin made the following note: "Have this typed up and give me copies to sign and send out." —Ed.

STRUGGLE FOR TRANSPORT OF OIL

1) Who is answerable for this?

2) What exactly has the Commissariat done in fulfillment of the decision of the Council of Labor and Defense (15 or 17.XII. 1920)¹ on this question?

3) When was the order issued and by whom regarding the assignment of oil tanks to various railways—and likewise, when and by whom was it rescinded?

4) What is the current distribution of tanks across the network? If what is indicated in your "information report"² (undated document) (received 29.III) in the last column of the 1st table ("Actual availability"—as of what date?), then how is one to explain the presence on 8 railways (183 + 161 + 22 + 88 + 9 + 493 + 1405 + 194 =) 2,355 tanks, when the "loading assignments" on these railways [are less]?

5) Cannot more complete data on the availability and operation of tanks be presented to me, dividing the railways into 3 groups and providing totals—how much oil was transported? by month? number of tanks? for the 3 groups:
(a) (1) railways that transported oil from the Volga
(b) (2) from the Caucasus (Grozny and Baku)
(c) (3) railways that did not transport oil?

6) Why has the speed of oil trains been set at 6 versts per hour? Are there technical obstacles (and what kind) to achieving maximum speed (like military trains)? What was our prewar speed? What is our actual speed in 1920, minimum and maximum?

I request that you inform me which of the aforementioned information you can provide immediately and which within the shortest possible timeframe (what exactly are those timeframes?).

With comm. greetings,
Lenin.

¹ On 15 December 1920, the Council of Labor and Defense approved the oil transport plan submitted on 14 December 1920 by the Supreme Council on Transport, which provided for the transportation of 164 oil tanks per month. The Council's resolution outlined practical questions connected with the shipment of oil, beginning with the repair of tanks, the rational use of equipment, and the establishment of mileage norms. Special measures were also outlined for supplying workers in the oil industry and railway transport with food and clothing.

² [Footnote reference in original]